Before getting a pet rabbit, it is of the utmost importance to research what they’ll need in their cage. While some items are optional, others are truly essential to ensure both health and comfort. If you’re new to the bunny world and are considering adopting a furry best friend – but don’t know what you’ll need exactly – you’ve certainly come to the best place! We’ll set you off on the right foot with the following list, so you’ll have a proper cage set-up for your new family addition.

Start with the right cage size

First, I’d like to add a quick note on cage size. If you’re not an experienced bunny owner, you may find yourself walking out of the store with a cage that’s way too small – and not even know it. Unfortunately, this happens often. That’s because the cages at the pet store that are labelled for rabbits are usually not big enough. Sadly, this is the case with most pet cages. Whether it’s a marketing ploy or simply lack of expertise on the part of the manufacturers, the reason is unclear. Nonetheless, 40 inches is the minimum acceptable length for a single small bunny, or 46 inches if you’ll be housing two pets but bigger than that is always better.

Hideout or hut

As animals who are typically preyed upon in the wild, rabbits need the ability to hide. If they feel threatened by potential prey species, they require a safe, secure place to scurry off to. Bunnies will also want to hide if they’re stressed, afraid, not feeling well, or just want time away from their companions or humans.

When considering which hut(s) to purchase:

Keep in mind how many furry friends you have. You’ll need at least one per rabbit. If you have more than one bunny, you may also want to add a large communal hut so they can all hide together.

Think about how safe the structure is. Two exits/entrances allow your pet to leave freely, just in case they get stuck somehow. Also, if you have several rabbits, extra exits prevent dominant pets from blocking others inside.

Believe it or not, your rabbit’s health and happiness is directly linked to having access to shelter. They need a spot that they can run to when they want to sleep in peace-and-quiet or just get away from it all.

Bedding (optional)

Truthfully, bunnies don’t necessarily need bedding in their cages. In fact, with some rabbits, it may confuse them to have bedding everywhere, thus leading them to believe they’re living in a giant litter box. The result is, unsurprisingly, they treat it as such and poop everywhere. On the other hand, there are many bunnies who prefer the soft, cozy feel of bedding in their home. As the pet parent, you’ll simply have to decide on what you’d like to do – go with bedding or not – and try it out to see if it works for your rabbit.

If you do opt for bedding, however, it needs to be checked daily to ensure it’s always clean. You can also try out different bedding combinations, like fleece blankets on one side of the cage and soft paper bedding on the other side.

Dry food pellets and bowl

Rabbits need more than just hay and veggies to get proper nutrition, and that’s where dry pellets come in. High-grade rabbit pellets provide your pets with the extra minerals, vitamins, and nutrients they need to remain healthy. While some vets recommend no more than 1/8 cup per day, you should discuss your rabbit’s dry food intake with your veterinarian in case they need a different amount.

Ingredients to avoid in pellets:

Nuts

Seeds

Dried fruit

Honey or other sweet substances

Starchy or fatty additives

Crunchy, colored bits and pieces

Quality pellets for rabbits should have a minimum of 22% crude fiber, a maximum of 14% protein, and approximately 1% of both calcium and fat. Before you buy anything, read the labels to make sure you’re purchasing a good, quality product.

When selecting a bowl for pellets, opt for something that’s not plastic. Bunnies love to chew, chew, chew on everything because of their ever-growing teeth. Ingesting plastic mistakenly is definitely not a good thing – and can lead to a whole lot of health problems. For safety’s sake, go with a container that is lead-free.

Fresh veggies

Did you know rabbits need fresh vegetables for optimum health? Indeed, they can’t get everything they need from just hay, water, and pellets. A variety of rabbit-safe veggies are needed everyday, though quantities will vary depending on the type and number of animals. Fresh greens ensure the gastrointestinal tract runs smoothly, but they also keep your pets well-hydrated too. In turn, this also allows your rabbits to pass their poop easily. Fruits and herbs are also a nice addition to their meals, though again, you’ll need to learn about proper quantities.

Water bottle or bowl

Whether you choose to use a bottle or bowl, constant access to fresh, clean water is an absolute necessity for your bunnies. If your pets don’t get enough water intake, they’ll slowly begin to suffer desiccation of the intestinal contents. That means your rabbit’s intestines will not be able to function properly, resulting in various health and digestive issues.

Make sure…

The material of the bowl is lead-free.

The material of the bottle is BPA-free.

To change the water daily, even if you’re using a bottle.

To prevent bacterial growth by washing the container thoroughly with hot water and detergent.

To add several sources of water if you have more than one pet.

Hay

Rabbits need continuous access to fresh, quality hay – lots and lots and LOTS of hay. Intestinal muscles stay in good health when your pets eat hay due to its long fibers. These fibers keeping the intestinal contents moving by pushing everything through the gut at a proper, natural rate. Additionally, hay prevents blockages in the intestinal tract caused by indigestible items and ingested hair.

Hay wheel or rack

A hay wheel or rack isn’t exactly a necessary product. However, it does keep the cage neat and the hay fresher for a longer period of time. If you don’t want to use something to hold the hay, you can always pile it up in a corner of the habitat. Pets can hop over to the pile and nibble on it. A pile works quite well, but it’s often a messy solution – most especially if your rabbits aren’t litter trained.

So, if you’re looking to keep things tidy and avoid constant clean-ups, you may indeed want to consider getting a hay rack or wheel for hay.

Natural wood toys or nibble sticks

Wood sticks and toys are definitely essentials for bunnies. Why? Well, basically, they are the key to three fundamental aspects of life with a pet bunny: mental stimulation, physical exercise, and a distraction from destruction.

Mental stimulation – Bunnies can get bored if they’re not actively challenged, particularly if they’re solo pets. Often, boredom leads to feeling isolated, which in turn can lead to destructiveness and/or depression. All rabbits, regardless of advanced age or disability, need an atmosphere that provides some form of entertainment, aside from just sleeping and eating.

Physical exercise – Access to safe forms of physical activity keeps your rabbits healthy – and out of trouble. They need to be able to chew on, dig into, run around, hop on top of or under, and crawl around bunny-friendly stuff. Without any physical stimulation, rabbits can get depressed or become overweight. Also, this can lead them to create their own physical entertainment, though in a dangerous, negative manner.

Distraction from destruction – While toys are certainly for your pets, they also keep your home safe by bunny-proofing it. With a collection of wood sticks and toys at their disposal – rabbit-safe objects that are specifically for their age, sex, and temperament – you’ll keep your house from getting destroyed by adorable, floppy-eared bunnies who are merely bored.

Every bunny is different, and thus, have different tastes. So, you’ll need to try various items to see which ones they like best. Having said that, please keep in mind that you don’t necessarily need to spend money on toys. While some are costly, others can be made at home and are perfectly safe and fun.

Litter and litter box

Litter boxes aren’t essential, but they sure do keep a cage clean! It’s actually quite easy to litter-train bunnies because they normally choose a corner for their ‘business.’ And so, for the most part, you just need to get a litter box with litter and place it where they prefer to ‘go.’

According to the vets associated with the House Rabbit Society, they typically recommend using organic litters, as some other materials have been linked to liver damage in rabbits.

Choose organic options such as those made from:

Paper

Citrus

Oat

Alfalfa

Litters to avoid:

Softwood shavings, like cedar or pine

Litter made of softwood shavings or chips, like pine or cedar, should be avoided. These materials are thought to be linked to liver damage in bunnies who use them.

Tunnel(s)

Play tunnels are an excellent addition to a cage. They provide a way to expend physical energy, but they also allow rabbits to give in to their natural burrowing urges.

Check out several tunnels before you choose one and avoid anything that looks potentially dangerous, such as:

Materials that can break off easily, leading them to cause injury or be swallowed

Sharp edges

Wood that splinters easily

Open-bottomed structures where your pet can get stuck

In the wild, rabbits tunnel all the time. They feel the most secure when nestled inside of one. Allowing your pet to fulfill this need is a great way to build a bond and keep them mentally happy and physically fit.

Companion

Bunnies are social creatures. They’re used to living in large groups – known as colonies or nests – never completely in solitude. These adorable, doe-eyed creatures enjoy companionship, preferring to live in pairs or compatible groups. In fact, when observing rabbits, their behaviour will indeed reflect this preference.

Solitude in rabbits can lead to:

Boredom

Depression

Destructiveness

Hyperactivity

Loneliness

Withdrawal

Therefore, before acquiring a pet bunny, do consider the repercussions of having a solo rabbit. They’re meant to live in a community – some of which can contain hundreds of rabbits – not alone. So, think about getting a companion – or two – for your new furry addition. In the end, the costs of having another rabbit are truly minimal.

Must-have or non-essential?

Without a doubt, your rabbit companions will settle into their new home quickly and easily with our helpful advice. Plus, you’ll also be able to understand the essentials versus the non-essentials. And, as such, you can avoid purchasing needless products pet store staff may insist are a must-have for bunnies.